Herb. [According to Turner and other early writers, f. CHAFE + WEED; see quot. 1551: Otherwise it might be plausibly explained from CHAFF sb.1 and WEED, in reference to the chaffy receptacle of Filago.]
A name given by Turner to the plant Gnaphalium sylvaticum; extended by Gerard to other species of Gnaphalium and the allied Filago; applied by some especially to F. germanica, the CHAFEWORT of Turner. (By Lyte erroneously applied to Diotis maritima, the Sea Daisy).
1548. Turner, Names of Herbes, s.v. Centunculus, Centunculus named in greke Gnaphalion…. It maye be called in englishe Chafweede, it is called in Yorke shyre cudweede. Ibid. (1551), Herbal, I. I ij. Centunculus is called … in Northumberlande Chafwede, because it is thought to be good for chafynge of any mans fleshe wyth goynge or rydynge.
1578. Lyte, Dodoens, I. lxii. 90. This herbe [Gnaphalion] is called … in English of Turner Cudweed, Chafeweed.
1598. Florio, Herba impia … we call it chaffweede or cudweede.
1853. in G. Johnston, Bot. E. Bord. (= Filago germanica).
1879. Prior, Plant-n., Chafe-weed … as Ray expresses it in Cat. Plant. Cant., ‘quoniam ad intertrigines valet.’
